Category: Romania

Văliug is a small village located in the southwestern region of Romania, near the city of Resita. This charming village is nestled amidst the picturesque Banat Mountains and it offers a perfect escape from busy city life. During the winter months, Văliug transforms into a winter wonderland, offering visitors a unique and magical experience. 

Văliug also offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Romanian cuisine during the winter months. The village is home to several restaurants that specialize in hearty, home-cooked meals. Visitors can sample traditional Romanian dishes such as stews, roasted meats, and soups, all of which are sure to warm them up on a chilly winter day.

Lake Gozna

Lake Gozna is a mesmerizingly beautiful body of water located in Văliug, Romania. The lake is situated between the Semenic Mountains and is a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers alike. Overall, Lake Gozna is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Văliug. Its natural beauty, tranquil atmosphere make it the perfect place to relax and unwind in the heart of nature.

Tip: Don’t miss the panoramic views from Ponton Casa Baraj for an unforgettable perspective of the area.

The ski slope in Valiug

One of the main attractions of Văliug during the winter is its ski resort, which is located on the nearby hills. The ski resort offers a variety of ski runs for all skill levels. The ski resort provides a perfect opportunity for visitors to experience the thrill of winter sports and to take in the stunning winter landscape.

Tip: You can find more information about the ski slopes and their conditions by visiting the official website for Casa Baraj. On the website, you’ll also have access to live camera feeds that show real-time views of the ski slopes in both Văliug and Semenic, helping you plan your visit with ease. In addition to checking the live cameras, the website provides helpful details about the slopes. If you’re looking to rent ski equipment, you’ll find all the information you need there as well, such as pricing and rental options.

Additional details:

How to get to Văliug: Take the DJ582 road, which provides a direct and relatively quick route to Văliug. You can also drive from Slatina-Timiș as well.

Best time to visit: While Văliug is beautiful year-round, in my opinion winter is the best time to visit. During this season, the village transforms into a snowy wonderland, with stunning views, festive charm, and plenty of activities.

However, if you prefer hiking or relaxing by Lake Gozna, the warmer months (spring through early autumn) are also great for enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Other places to visit: You can also visit the Semenic resort which is located about 17 km away. This mountain retreat offers even more opportunities for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Văliug is a magical and enchanting destination during the winter months. With its breathtaking winter landscapes, charming traditional architecture, vibrant ski resort, and exciting winter sports, it provides visitors with a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Lake Miniş

The lake Miniş can be found in the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park, about 5 km away from a very popular attraction, the Bigăr waterfall. If you are driving from Oravița or Anina towards the Bozovici, then at some point you will find it next to the main road.

The Bigăr waterfall

Another important destination in the in the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park is the Bigăr waterfall. Due to its cone shape which is covered entirely by green moss, its considered to be very unique. As a fun fact, this waterfall is exactly on the 45 Parallel.

Besides the waterfall, I highly recommend to visit the small natural reservation which is located right behind the Bigăr waterfall. Over there you will have the chance to admire many amazing small waterfalls along the path which will take you to source of the stream. On the end of the path, you will find the Bigăr cave which can be visited. Right next to the cave, a small stream comes out from the mountain which ultimately flows on the green mosses of the Bigăr waterfall into the Nera river.

Mangalia is a charming seaside town located on the southern coast of Romania, right by the Black Sea. This small town is popular in the summer because it offers a mix of beautiful beaches where you can relax, swim, or just enjoy the sun. The waters of the Black Sea are usually calm and warm during the summer, making it perfect for a day by the sea.

Port of Mangalia

Mangalia is also known for its marina and shipyard. The marina is a small but vibrant port where you can see various boats and yachts. It’s a great place to take a walk and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. The shipyard is another interesting spot, especially if you’re lucky enough to see some of the massive ships that are built or repaired there. These ships often travel across the world’s oceans, and seeing them up close is a memorable experience.

In order to see the Mangalia Port, you can take a boat ride from the tourist port of Mangalia, where you can easily find boats ready and waiting to take you on a scenic journey. These tours typically last over 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the experience. The best part is that tickets are quite affordable, making it a great option for anyone looking to explore the area by water. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend some time or simply want to see the sights from a different perspective, these boat tours are a perfect choice.

The highlight of these tours is visiting the shipyard in Mangalia. If you’re lucky, you might spot some massive ships that travel across the world’s oceans. During our boat tour around the port, we got really close to two of these large ships docked at the shipyard.

After passing the second ship, I noticed another one docked a bit further away. Unfortunately, the captain decided it was time to head back, so I could only take a few distant photos of that ship and the beautiful sunset. It was my first time seeing such enormous man-made structures up close, and the experience was truly unforgettable.

Before we returned to our starting point, our boat sailed right past the Mangalia Marina. This marina is relatively small compared to others, but it has a charming and cozy feel. At that time, the port was filled with many smaller boats, all neatly docked. The sight of these boats lined up along the docks added to the picturesque atmosphere of the port. It was a peaceful and pleasant way to end our tour, giving us one last chance to enjoy the beauty of Mangalia from the water.

Muntele Mic is a mountain resort located in the Retezat-Godeanu Mountains. The highest peak is 1,802 meters, and it is a popular destination for skiing and hiking. After we arrived at the resort, which shares the same name as the mountain, we decided to eat something before we started exploring the area. Close to where we parked our car, we found a nice wooden cabin with a restaurant. Also nearby is the abandoned Sebeș Hotel, which was the most modern building in the resort during the ’90s.

Things to visit in the resort:

Not far from Hotel Sebeș, you can find a small wooden church. It’s actually close to the winter resort and the ski lifts. Below the church, there is a larger pine forest.

If you plan to visit Muntele Mic, you’ll have the chance to see a large cross on top of the mountain once you reach the resort. There is also a road that leads to the cross. Unfortunately, when we were there, some storm clouds were approaching the resort, and we decided not to drive up to the cross. The view is probably much nicer from up there.

After we explored the Muntele Mic resort for more than an hour, we decided to leave. From the resort, we drove toward the plateau, where I took some landscape photos of the Țarcu Mountains, which were visible from there. Since the weather was warm, I managed to spot a few patches of snow near the peaks. I heard that the highest peak is over 2,000 meters. Overall, the scenery is breathtaking from the plateau. It’s also the perfect place to capture some amazing landscape photos.

What else can you visit in the area near Muntele Mic?

Not far from here, you’ll find Poiana Mărului, located down in the valley, not too far from Muntele Mic. The shortest route is a dirt road that starts a bit lower in the valley. Keep in mind that this road is recommended only for 4×4 vehicles.